Tabernacle Improvements

I have started a raw diet.  I actually started it a couple of months ago but wasn't doing very well, for lack of ideas what food to eat.  It seems I could only tolerate so many salads.

That all changed when I got my tah dahhh! Vitamix.  I finally got the courage to go out and spend the money.  A week later and I'm still lovin' it!  I have boosted my raw food level from 40-50% up to 95% on most days.  

My basic diet now consists of smoothies.  I formerly used a juicer and was quite hesitant to switch because I heard juicers were better than blenders because they facilitated absorption of vital nutrients as fiber is reported to block nutrients.  However, when juicing I found my blood sugar was unstable and I hated throwing all that good organic fiber out, as I live in an apartment complex and am unable to compost.  Additionally gives the feeling of being full.  

One week later I am very satisfied with blending over juicing.  I only wish I had started this sooner.  My basic smoothie contains banana, frozen fruit, 2 carrots, whey protein powder, brewer's yeast, blackstrap molasses, and various herbs.  This makes a delicious shake that is very healthful and filling.  

I am one of those who had many healthful things stored up but never had a practical way to incorporate them into my daily life.  I tried mixing them with applesauce, yogurt, etc but for some reason it only seemed to be a bother while with the vitamix they were a natural.

I don't want this to sound like a commercial but the more I learn about the vitamix the happier I am.  Genesis 1:29 says,  "And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat."  Recent studies indicate the powerful effect seeds have on cancer and many compounds contained in seeds.  I can throw many foods right into the blender which has no problem with them.  I even blended an avocado pit in a matter of seconds!!!

I will be reporting back my results now and then as well as if I continue to enjoy my blender as it was a major purchase but seemed necessary for a major life change.

 

Andrew is Home from Iraq!!!

To all who have prayed, thank you for my oldest son is home from Iraq for a season.  I am very grateful that he made it through his first deployment and pray he will enjoy his well earned R & R!!!

The Family Readiness Officer said he would probably be here for 6-7 months.  He seems well though I have not had a chance to talk with him very much.

Thank you, my Yah for your covering over my whole house extending even to overseas.  May your perfect will be done in this war for the United States. Continue to protect all our young men and women as they are sent to out fight. May your precious blood cover them.

Hath God said No?

A tumultuous cry has gone up to God for mercy from believers everywhere, in the church, from "the call" and from secret prayer closets all over America for this election.

Many fear Obama is Muslim, and with good reason, as it is hard to win an election in America without saying you are a Christian, so almost every candidate now professes "his Christianity" for they know the bulk of the people will not judge the tree by its fruits. Additionally he has many connections with terrorists and there are even proofs of an invalid birth certificate circulating which has all been suppressed and ignored in mainline media; imagine the average person in this nation cannot board an airplane with a pocket knife since he might be a terrorist and yet allegations our Presidential candidate has been funded with massive campaign money from Arab nations has not been investigated. Is this America? Or is it a wake up call that the will finally awaken the slumbering church?

The whole overturning of abortion may rest on the Supreme Court judges who are appointed in his watch. Much hangs in the balance.

Hath God not heard our cry? Hath He said no?

As I looked at the election results this morning, my heart was fixed in faith. When God does not seem to answer our prayer there is often there is a higher purpose He is working out. However to achieve this higher purpose He must have people of faith whose walk not by sight. This is a test now for the bride, for the remnant to look up and fix our eyes on Him who worketh out all things.

There is a tendency to think that things will come out a certain way and believe God did not answer our prayers but when He delivered the children of Israel from Egypt, He was the one who led them to the Red Sea. As they watched Pharaoh's army advancing many lost faith not understanding the miracle God wanted to do for them. (We always think God's deliverance will look a certain way.)

It seemed He has led them right into a trap. Yet it was His will to do a greater thing and show His children His mighty power once again while taking out their enemies at the same time.

This morning I continued to praise Him for I believe there is an answer we do not see at this moment that is coming and I want to exhort believers everywhere to continue to stand in faith for the final outcome. Many are stirred up with plans to take the invalid birth certificate to court which could expose the corruption in the Democratic party. But we must be people of faith and continue to trust Him for the final outcome.

When I opened my Bible for a word I read this passage with new clarity and understanding:

Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.

And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour. Matthew 15:21-28

Jesus rejected her request, first by ignoring her, then telling her she was unqualified, even an insulting her as a dog. However, it did not stop her: she worshiped Him and continued to ask not allowing the rejection or refusal to stop her. And this was "Great Faith" - her eyes remained on Jesus with hope, knowing He has the power to change her circumstances.

I exhort you church keep your eyes fixed on Him and do not waver. He who has promised is faithful, of that there is no doubt. But will He find faith among us?

Prayer for the Election

Pray for truth to be revealed regarding candidates and hidden agendas exposed:

Col 2:15  And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a open show of them, triumphing over them in it.
Pray that the principalities and powers that are controlling this election will be exposed as Christ has already made an open show of them and triumphed over them.

Proclaim: principalities and powers, you are exposed!  You have been SPOILED!  You are defeated!!!

Luk 12:2  For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. 3  Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

Proclaim: All those things now covered be revealed!! All things which are hid be known!!! and the things which have been spoken in darkness be heard in the light and proclaimed upon the housetops!!!

Ephesians 5:13 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7  Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 8  For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9  (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)  Proving (testing) what is acceptable unto the Lord. 11  And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove (REBUKE)  them. . . . 13  But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. 14  Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

Rebuke the deception of vain words from candidates to the voters and America.  

Rebuke candidates' unfruitful works of darkness and pray that they will be made manifest by the light.   

Rebuke a spirit of slumber, deception and lies from the nation, the election and the church. 

Break the assignment of the enemy to deceive our nation with a king.

Call America to Awake and Arise from the dead that Christ may give us His light.

Release the light of God upon America and His church, and Proclaim light to shine forth in darkness. 

Release the spirit of truth upon our nation, upon our media and upon the voters.

Pray for God to raise up righteous voters and fearless reporters to release the truth in the media.

Pray for righteousness in the polling places and accountability. 

Favor, blessing and protection over God's candidate; that God would grant them wisdom and understanding in the days ahead and strategy from heaven.   

God's will be done on earth in the election. And a cry to heaven that God will grant us mercy over justice and He will give us grace in our time of need. Remember God only needs a remnant to gain a victory and we are that remnant called for this time.

 

Entering the Rest of God

Here is a word the Lord showed me this am after my contemplative. Today is 7-7 and seven prophetically points to the rest of God. I believe there is a special grace today to enter His Rest for He is going to shake everything that can be shaken:

Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the LORD; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the LORD, and work: for I am with you, saith the LORD of hosts: 5 According to the word that I covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt, so my spirit remaineth among you: fear ye not. 6 For thus saith the LORD of hosts;

Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land; 7 And I will shake all nations, and the Desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts. 8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts. 9 The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts. Haggai 2:4-9

For us the people of God there is a place of rest during the shaking. Meditate on Hebrews 4 and labor to enter the rest of God, and allow Him to take you to the next level of trust in the midst of circumstances.

Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. 2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. 3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. 5 And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest. 6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: 7 Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. 8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. 9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. Hebrews 4:1-11

911 Emergency! Who Ya Gonna Call?

El Shaddai is our 911 Emergency Rescue God!

Psalm 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

Yes, God has a 911 emergency number to call when you need help. To abide (Strong's H3885 "lûn lîyn" stay permanently; hence lie all night, lodge, remain, tarry all night.) under His shadow is to be under His protection, but to get there, we must learn how to dwell in the secret place.

Psalm 91 continues: I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust. 3 Surely He shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. 4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. 5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; 6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. 7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. 8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Psalms 91:2-8

That is all awesome protection; so how do we “dwell in the secret place?”

The word dwell is Strong’s H3427 “yâshab” [yaw-shab'] meaning: to sit down (in quiet); to remain; to settle, to marry: abide, continue, endure, establish, habitation, inhabit (make to keep house), lurking, marry, (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, settle, sit, still, tarry.

The word secret is Strong’s H5643 “sêther” [say'-ther] meaning: a cover (in a good or a bad, literal or figurative sense); covering, covert, disguise , hiding place, privily, protection and comes from Strong’s H5641 “sâthar” [saw-thar] meaning to hide (by covering), literally or figuratively: be absent, keep close, conceal, hide (self), (keep) secret.

From these definitions we can see the secret place is establishing a habitation or abiding place apart from our public worship, church attendance or fellowship with Brethren where we spend time; it is often described as "the prayer closet" which is taken from Matthew 6:6.

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6

Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the ‘pride of man’: (NASB says ‘conspiracies of man’) thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues. Psalms 31:20

And I will give you the treasures of darkness, And hidden wealth of secret places, In order that you may know that it is I, The LORD, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name. Isaiah 45:3

We know of the multitude of promises God has promised us when we seek Him including protection; yet as a counselor, I have encountered many individuals who have problems developing a consistent practice of daily time with Him. They tell me they don’t know how to do it or they are not disciplined enough to keep it up. “I get bored studying my Bible” or “I don’t feel His presence and get discouraged”, etc. etc.

I like to say, 'don’t tell me what you can’t do, tell me what you can do.' Together we make a list of ways to seek God and here are some ideas:

1. Make a list of your blessings and take it before the throne and thank God for each one.

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Ephesians 5:20

2. Make a list of the attributes of God that you appreciate (Mercy, Grace, Compassion, beauty of nature, etc.) take it before the throne and thank him.

Psalm 100:4 tells us Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. It is amazing how a simple act of thanks can bring down the presence of God.

3. Sing little songs or melodies to the Lord; anyone can do this, you don’t need to be able to sing. I sing little variations of scripture that I want to be implanted in my heart such as “thank you for your perfect love, all fear must go.”

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Ephesians 5:19

4. Read your Bible and ask Him to speak to you. And I don’t mean just once in the beginning but throughout the text, you can read a passage out loud and ask Him to show you the depths of meaning hidden there. The Jewish custom of Midrash (interpretation) is a discussion of the scripture; you can have your own Midrash with God by asking His Spirit to teach you.

But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. 1 John 2:27

5. Putting on Worship Music and lifting up your hands or dancing.

Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy. Psalms 99:5

Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Psalms 150:4

6. For those with extreme difficulties establishing a discipline like me, cry out to Him for help to seek his face. Remember you are His workmanship:

The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. Psalms 34:17

When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me. Psalms 56:9

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. John 15:5

7. After reading your Bible or worshiping spend 10 minutes just listening.

Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge. Proverbs 22:17

Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. Isaiah 55:3

8. Praying in the Holy Spirit; Often I will take a walk and I will pray in tongues; sometimes I will pray over a certain problem or scripture I want insight on.

(A devotional is not meant to be controversial; I would be remiss if I did not mention one of my most common ways to seek God; however, if you find this offensive or don’t believe in it, I ask you to skip it out of a respect for other’s beliefs rather than writing antagonistic responses to me.)

But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Jude 1:20

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Ephesians 6:18

9. Fasting so your voice will be heard on high.

 

While fasting is difficult it shows God our seriousness in finding Him.  However like all things there are many variations I won't go into here, but I would like to encourage people to consider what they can do and the options are limitless:  Fasting television, Internet, categories of food such as sweets, grains or meats are types of Daniel fasts in which pleasant foods are omitted.  Fasting one meal a day or even fasting snacks is one way to start. I know someone who fasts coffee because it is one of her great pleasures. I encourage you to ask God, what would You have me fast?

 

And when you fast remember the goal of the fasting is to find God, so use the time to seek Him and examine your life through His light:

 

³ Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours. ⁴ Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high. ⁵ Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD? ⁶ Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? ⁷ Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Isaiah 58:3-7

 

10. Soaking in His Presence by listening to worship music, online streams from the Houses of Prayer or the revivals now available on the Internet.  I know a lady who once a week lays on the floor before the altar at her church for 3-6 hours a week, sometimes twice.  Sometimes she has a walkman and sometimes she just lays in His presence and waits on Him.  This lady has a very dynamic relationship with the Lord and hears Him well. 

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. James 4:8 

11. Finally, a time tested way to seek the Lord was described in a classic book by Brother Laurence called, “Practicing the Presence of God.” By consciously acknowledging the presence of God in all your actions and throughout the day you begin to build a deeper relationship and intimacy as you learn to know Him as a friend who sticks closer than a brother. It is a discipline in itself but over time and effort you will find it gets easier and has great rewards.

While I do not necessarily advocate a prescribed routine since each person must discover what works best for them, I want to suggest a simple idea that has helped me: 20 minutes Bible study, 20 minutes Praise and Worship and 20 minutes Prayer and Listening.

But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. Deuteronomy 4:29

Is America Babylon?

It was many years ago when I first heard that America was Babylon. At the time, I thought, we are bad but we are not Babylon and dismissed it.

Over the years I would hear it a bit more here and there and began to consider it more seriously as I saw the revealing way people dress, the sex and violence in popular music, the occasional redeeming television show that was interspersed with blatant, perverse and sexually enticing commercials pushing their regular line up. So when I bought a prophecy book several months ago and the author said America is Babylon I realized, I had not only changed my mind, I truly believed it.

But what of mainstream America? Do they have a clue we are headed for destruction as foretold in Isaiah 13, Jeremiah 51 and Revelation 18? You cannot drive very far without seeing a church but how many of the people who worship across the land believe or imagine America is headed for judgment? Did 911 change anything in the hearts and minds of most people?

Ancient Babylon was a city in Mesopotamia between the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers and the capital of the Babylonian Empire, the area now called Iraq. Most people will agree it is also a false religious system with numerous speculations pointing to Roman Catholic Church or the one world religion that unites all faiths, etc.

How many believe it is also a geographic place and the United States poised for destruction through the judgment of God?

Share your opinion and tell why you think so.

My son, Andrew

Andrew my oldest son, was interested in military stuff ever since high school at least when he took ROTC. He scored in the 99th percentile across the board when he took the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) revealing that he was highly suited for practically any job he wanted in the entire Armed Services. However, neither his father nor I was thrilled about him enlisting so we discouraged him from joining when he turned 18. He was very intelligent, in the gifted program in school, expressing an interest in journalism and we tried to steer him towards more intellectual pursuits.

Over the next few years, he did several things, mudjacking and welding, along with a couple of years in college, but he always wanted to join the Marines. So finally he joined in the fall of 2006, at 24. I attended his graduation from Boot Camp in February 2007. It was at this time Bush was escalating the war and a recruiter came up to me and Nathan, his brother, (as if one of my sons wasn't enough) and told us due to extreme demand, any position a person wanted was available.

That was encouraging as I naively thought maybe my son would be interested in one of the technical jobs or even special ops or intelligence. So I asked Andrew what the job he was interested in and my heart fell when he told me infantry.

I started crying right there and we had this conversation:
"Infantry? Why not intelligence or special ops or any of the technical jobs that are open?"
"This is what I feel I am supposed to do."
'Kill people?' You feel you are supposed to kill people?"
"Mom, they have attacked us and are trying to kill us and someone needs to defend our country."
"Yes son, but taking a life. a life is a sacred thing . . ."
"Mom that is God's problem, not mine. You just have to believe that God gets to them before I do."

So my son had more faith than I did at that point, that God was working in his life. It seemed he has made peace with his decision, but I had a ways to go to find mine. that night back at the hotel room I was again crying on my bed. Even before birth I had given my children to Yahweh and this did not seem like a example of a life dedicated to God.

Even lying there crying in my bed I had a small picture come into my head. It was a picture of my son on the battle field leaning over wounded soldiers and leading them to Christ. Just a flash image but there nonetheless. Though I could not rest in it, a sliver of hope crept in.

Yet a couple of weeks later, I have this tiny dream:
A girl watches from the window of a house, two brothers. As one comes in, the other one dies.

My youngest son has entered a Christian discipleship program and clearly I think he is coming into the house of God but my oldest son still seems to be dying to me.